WMVO Good Times Great Oldies
The Knox County Regional Planning Commission has approved several updates to Wayne Township’s zoning resolution, marking the first major revision since 2019 and introducing new flexibility for home‑based businesses.
The most significant update affects conditional uses for home occupations in the agricultural/residential district. Regulations continue to require that a business operated from a residence must be owned by someone living on the property. However, the township has removed the previous limit that allowed only 25% of an accessory building to be used for the business, now permitting full use of the structure. The change appears on page 35 of the zoning resolution under item 5, and items 6, 9, and 14 in that same section have been removed. Additional updates include a revision on page 34 increasing the limit on nonresidential onsite employees or volunteers from two to ten, as well as the removal of item 4 on that page. The commission also approved several minor corrections to grammar, typos, and definitions throughout the document.
The commission has also received portions of the updated subdivision regulations, which are being revised by Compass Point Planning. The Land Use Committee is reviewing six of the eight sections. Feedback on the draft will primarily occur during RPC meetings until public hearings are scheduled, and both the Regional Planning Commission and the Knox County commissioners will hold hearings once the full draft is complete. The goal is to finish revisions by midsummer. Members noted areas needing clarification, including the absence of language outlining the planning commission’s authority in Article 2 and the lack of township regulation references in Article 3. Draft copies are available upon request. Land use meetings remain open to RPC members who are not on the committee, though they are not public hearings and non‑committee members may observe but not participate.
The commission will vote on officers at its March meeting. The current slate includes chairman Steve Bratton of Brown Township, vice chairman Jason Rogers of Hilliar Township, treasurer Marta Hill of Liberty Township, and land use chairman Steve Bratton. The nominating committee will accept additional nominations from the floor. Knox County Commissioner Barry Lester requested quarterly attendance reports and asked the commission to consider moving its meeting time from 7:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., noting that some residents avoid attending due to the later start. Members submitted a petition asking the bylaws committee to formally explore changes to the meeting day and time.
Rob Clendenning of the Knox County Soil and Water Conservation District reported that contract extension offers will soon be issued to participants in the state’s H2Ohio program.